Queen Manual Vacuum Cleaner

Before the invention of electricity in the first electric vacuum cleaner that was invented in 1901, most had to physically sweep away dust and dirt that got into the house. As technology progressed in the late 19th and early 20th century that saw quality of life improvements for the housewife, this included the vacuum cleaner, laundry machine, refrigerator, and etc.. On display is a Queen Manual Vacuum Cleaner that was made by the Utilities Sales Company in Riverside, Iowa.

This small upright vacuum was designed to be operated by hand and easy to carry around. It was made of metal, and had one wooden handle on the side and another at the top of the canister. The nozzle on the bottom was attached to the canister by a bendable metal tube. The nozzle head is similar to the ones on modern vacuums, and can be used on carpet, hard flooring, or upholstery. Instead of electricity, this vacuum was powered by the user moving the top handle up and down like a plunger. This action caused the vacuum to suck air in and push it out again. When the nozzle sucked air in, it also sucked up dirt and dust, which was then trapped inside the canister. However, these vacuums weren’t efficient and were never truly labor-saving devices.
Please ask your tour guide to demonstrate this vacuum.